Note: Further down in the message I have a chart on the use of the word love in the gospels, I cannot get it to format correctly on sermoncentral. If you want a Word doc contact me. Blessings! Maurice
John, the Gospel of Love
PPT 1 Series title Behold
To behold means to give something our undivided attention
Behold means here is something incredible for you to observe
Behold means God wants to open your eyes to something.
Behold our great High priest.. Behold what manner of love…We beheld His glory…
Today this is our topic:
PPT 2 Message Title
Today I want to give an overview of the gospels with special emphasis on the gospel of John, and show why it is rightly called the “Love gospel.” Amazing fact, the gospel of John is the only gospel that says God loves us.
The gospels are the spiritual equivalent of the Himalyas of the bible, they rise above all the other books because of their subject matter, and the gospel of John is Mt.. Everest of those peaks. And Jesus is the summit of Everest. No one extols or reveals Jesus better than John as you will see.
I liken the gospels to the four sides of a house. The sides and the back are similar, the front is more grandiose. John’s gospel is the grandiose one. I don’t want you to get the wrong impression of that I am saying the other three gospels are inferior, what I am trying to say is that John’s gospel excels because He shows Jesus in a more magnificent light. And Jesus is the crown jewel of all scripture. It also talks about God loving us in ways the others don’t, as you will see in this message.
I start with Marks gospel, because it was probably the 1st written. Between 50-60 AD
He was not an Apostle. Prior to his gospel the church lived on eyewitness testimony, and oral tradition for between 20-30 years. There were accounts of Jesus life written down but they were never accepted as scripture. More on that when we get to Luke. James and Galations were probably the first NT books written, then Mark.
Mark’s actual name is John, but he was also called Mark.
PPT 3 text
Acts 12:12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
This verse is talking about Peter when he was miraculously released from jail. Mark’s mother Mary was apparently wealthy it is in her house that Peter went to when released from prison, her house in which the upper room of Acts was situated, and some believe the last supper was also in her house. How much of Jesus life and ministry Mark was involved in we don’t have enough information on. He did travel with the Apostle Paul for a season. After leaving Paul, Mark got much of his material for his gospel from being close to and travelling with Peter. He is later known to have been a bishop. So he became a preacher himself.
Here are some of the unique things about his gospel:
It is the shortest gospel. 16 chapters, next is John at 21, Luke at 24, and Matthews is the longest at 28 chapters. Mark emphasizes healing and demons extensively. In his first chapter Jesus is tempted by the devil, and casts out a demon. This activity of Jesus is front and center in the gospel of Mark and is credited with bringing Jesus much fame. He has more exorcisms than any of the other gospels. And you will be surprised to note there is not one demon cast out in the gospel of John. It is as if John has made a conscious decision to only highlight Jesus.
PPT 4 text
Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
Only Mark gives healing commands of Jesus in the Syriac language: Talitha cumi, maiden arise, Ephphatha-be opened. It is also the only place in the New Testament where Jesus is referred to as "the son of Mary", and the only gospel where Jesus himself is called a carpenter;(Mk 6:3) in Matthew he is called a carpenter's son.
Mark 16:9-20 is perhaps one of the most controversial portions of scriptures. Drink deadly poison, speak in tongues etc. It is found in 99% of all ancient manuscripts. There are other scriptures that illustrate or say the same things.
Matthew
One of the original 12 apostles, nothing in the scripture suggests there was something wrong him as he is portrayed in the series “the chosen.” Probably written shortly after Marks gospel.
His gospel is probably listed first because it makes a smooth transition between the Old and New Testaments. There are more than 100 OT references, often with the phrase, “ so that which was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled.” Interestingly he is called by his Hebrew name in Mark and Luke: Levi. He was a tax collector, a man of wealth, and his gospel is the most extensive, and most complete concerning the facts of Jesus life.
Matthew is the only gospel with wise men from the East. Matthew in the birth of Jesus narrative, focuses on Joseph and his dreams will Luke focuses on Mary and the visits of angels to her and Zacharias. Matthew begins with a genealogy and is concerned with showing Jesus as from the lineage of David to fortify his argument He is the promised Messiah. He follows the lineage of Joseph whereas Luke follows the lineage of Mary. Matthew starts with Abraham, and Luke starts with Adam. Matthew is concerned with Jesus’ Jewishness, but is not afraid to include the hiccups in His lineage. What do I mean, he includes scandalous parts of Jesus’ ancestry.
Matthew lists 5 women in Jesus’ genealogy, Luke lists none in his. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Uriah’s wife, and Mary.
His gospel is devoid of personal feelings or observations. Which is very odd to me, but I think it was the writing style the gospel writers embraced. Look at how he describes his meeting and calling by Jesus:
PPT 5 text
Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He *said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him.
What an opportunity to tell about how he felt that day. The gospel was not about him.
Matthew is the only gospel to use the word church.
Matthew cites 23 parables, 11 of which are unique. Mark contains 8 parables, Luke 24 of which 18 are unique. John has zero parables. This shows again that John is not trying to repeat the other gospels but show things, important things they missed. He could do that from the vantage point of writing almost 30 years later.
Jesus’s longest sermon, the sermon on the Mount is only in Matthews gospel chapters 5-7. Matthew and Mark are the only gospels that include Jesus’ prophecies of the last days. John covers it in the book of Revelation.
Luke
Luke writes as an investigative journalist which we will see shortly. His gospel was written just after Mark and Matthews. Luke was not an apostle nor was he an eyewitness. He interviewed others and then put it together.
His gospel is the only one with a prologue and a sequel – the book of Acts.
He includes some insights into how people reacted to things. Less aloof than the other gospel writers.
PPT 6 text
Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
I read this and I can almost see him interviewing Mary about this. What was it like to give birth to Jesus, how did you feel?
He includes the worship poem of Mary when she found out she would give birth to Jesus. Her poem is called the Magnificat. Luke 1:46-55
And the worship of Zacharias in 1:67-79, the worship of angels in 2:14, the worship and prophecy of Simeon in 2:29-35, and the extolling of Him by Anna the prophetess in 2:36-38.
He alone records the most beloved of the parables. All are found in Luke 15; the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the parable of the prodigal son.
He speaks more extensively of John the Baptist than any of the other gospels.
Now a little recap, and a few more things and we will move on to John’s gospel.
Mark was written detailing miracles, and casting out of devils. Matthew was written to convince the Jews Jesus is the Messiah, Luke was written as if from an investigative journalist. Let me show you how they begin their gospels and then compare that to John’s.
PPT 7-9 text
Luke 1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,
Luke 1:2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, (Luke is saying he wasn’t an eye witness)
Luke 1:3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;
Luke 1:4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
Matthew 1:1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Matthew 1:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
I chose these two last because Mark calls Jesus the son of God, and Matthew talks about His human heritage. Contrast that with what John says:
PPT 10 text
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John is saying the other gospels aren’t showing the full picture of who Jesus is.
He is not just the son of Adam, he is not just the son of David, He is not just the son of God. He is God Himself. This is why cults dislike the gospel of John, especially the Jehovah’s witnesses.
John will quote Jesus saying, before Abraham was I AM. That freaked the religious leaders out. John 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: On another occasion:
PPT 11 text
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
John 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
John 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
He will also respond this way when asked by Phillip to show the apostles the Father:
PPT 12 text
John 14:9 Jesus *said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
John 14:7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."
John 12:45 "He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.
These are all unique to the gospel of John. If you don’t have the gospel of John you have less than a complete picture of Jesus. John is enraptured with Jesus, later in his 1st epistle he will say this:
PPT 13 text
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
1 John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
This is a world of difference to Matthews distant reflections of his interaction with Jesus. Johns’ gospel is unique in so many ways. The deity of Jesus, He speaks the most on eternal life, the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit. Matthew says nothing in relation to us and the Spirit, Mark says nothing about the Spirit but in relation to Jesus, the Spirit is as a dove descending, Luke simply says God will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
John understood the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit better than the other gospel writers.
John 3:5 born of the Spirit, born again, John 4:23 worship in spirit and in truth, John 7:37-39 rivers of living water, John 14:16 I will send a comforter, John 15:26 He will testify of Me, John 16:13 He will guide you into all truth, He will bring all things to your remembrance.
John speaks of the absolute necessity and importance of Holy Spirit among us.
PPT 14 text
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
It is expedient or good for you I am going away, I have been with you, He will be in you.
Other unique things about John’s gospel - John gives us the only report of the upper room discourse of John 14-18. Vine and branches, might have joy, might have peace, In my Fathers house are many mansions. I will bring you to Myself. The other gospels key in on the dinner and the betrayal.
John is the gospel in the 4th dimension. Not just the facts, it’s the gospel of joy, the gospel of eternal life, the gospel of Holy Spirit, the gospel of love, the gospel of the Father.
I want to briefly cover joy, the Father, and love, and then we will close.
The gospel of joy.
PPT 15 text
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Not in the other gospels, especially the prayer of John 17. Longest prayer of Jesus. How could Matthew have left this out? How could Luke the investigator miss it. John wanted us to know Jesus is about joy. Perhaps only John heard it. But they have the garden prayers.
PPT 16
The gospel of Father Father:
Your Our My Total
Matthew 19 2 22 43
Mark 2 3 5
Luke 4 1 13 18
John 2 120* 122
*os ending masculine singular s/b just Father.
The gospel of love
PPT 17 Love In the 3 Gospels
Others Love God Jesus loves us God Loves Us Total
Matthew 4 2 6
Mark 2 1 3
Luke 4 2 6
10x’s We are told to love others, 4x’s to love God, 1x’s we are told Jesus loved someone (an individual, and 0 times are we told God loves us. In total 15 references to loving others, God or Jesus loving us. As I said there is only 1 direct statement of Jesus loving someone in the other gospels, and it is of a man who walked away from Him! (Mk 10:21)
Love in the gospel of John
John is the gospel in the 4th dimension. The love dimension. In the other gospels the love of God is on display over and over again in the preaching and miracles that Jesus performed, but never overtly stated. Let me show you how John is much more direct when speaking about God and love.
PPT 18 God loves us 6x’s that is stated zero times in the other gospels, some exmples
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 16:27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
PPT 19 Father loves the Son 8x’s zero times in the other gospels, but is well pleased 2x
John 3:35 "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.
John 10:17 "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.
PPT 20 We should love Jesus 17x’s, only 1x in the other gospels, love father or mother more than Me.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.
PPT 21 Jesus loves us 14x’s nothing like this in the other gospels
John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. (Telios)
John 15:9 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
STOP THE PRESSES! This the headline of the year! Mt, Mk, and Lk are wonderful b/c the words of Jesus are spirit and they are life, the life of God is conveyed to us through them. But this is like a crowing jewel of all the things He has said. Just as, I have!!!!
That is why 2 verse later He says: John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
The other gospels are wonderful, John’s is the wonder of wonders. Especially when it comes to love. John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
PPT 22 Jesus loves the Father 1x unique to John
John 14:31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.
Summary of the beauty of John’s gospel, what have we beheld of Jesus…
PPT 23
Jesus wants us to be joyful,
Jesus wants us to have a great relationship with Holy Spirit.
Jesus loves us as the Father loved Him.
The Father Son and Spirit want to make their home in us.
John started life with Jesus as a son of thunder, wanting to call down fire on people. He was transformed by the love of God, and became the apostle of love. He reveled in that love, “Behold what manner of love…
Hosanna in the highest.
Have you invited Father Son and Spirit into your heart that They have made Their abode in you?
Take this word and let it chase any doubt of the love of God for you away.
